The man who could beat Boris: James Cracknell (pictured with glamorous TV presenter wife Beverley Turner) could stand against the blond bombshell in Uxbridge

A staunch anti-European, Cracknell stood unsuccessfully in the European elections earlier this year, having turned to politics after retiring as a sportsman.

He almost died from terrible head injuries suffered in a cycling accident on an 18-day endurance race in the U.S.

The happily married father-of-three, who has also made his name on TV as a dashing adventurer, has lodged his nomination papers for Uxbridge with Tory HQ. If there is an open primary in which anyone on the electoral roll can vote to choose a candidate, Cracknell’s chances will improve considerably.

For he could easily exploit one of Boris’s many weaknesses — namely his fervent opposition to the expansion of Heathrow Airport in favour of a new transport hub on what has been dubbed Boris Island in the Thames Estuary.

Heathrow is one of the main employers in Uxbridge and its expansion would create more jobs locally.

Perhaps the London Mayor should back off from Uxbridge and prove his devotion to the Tory cause is stronger than his personal ambition by offering himself as a candidate at the forthcoming by-election against Tory-to-Ukip defector Douglas Carswell in Clacton — a town that would benefit from his airport plans.

Your party needs you: Boris should stand against Tory-to-Ukip defector Douglas Carswell (right) in Clacton — a town that would benefit from his airport plans

TheTV historian-turned-politician Tristram Hunt seems utterly lacking in self-knowledge by making an attack on the Tories for ‘failing social mobility’ and standing up only for ‘a privileged few’.

For this is the same Hon Dr Tristram Hunt, the son of Baron Hunt of Chesterton and former pupil of University College School, which is part of the elite Eton group of independent schools.

Leading Labour’s unsuccessful opposition to the sale of the Royal Mail was Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna (right).

Yet he has been exposed as not even knowing the cost of a first-class stamp. When asked recently, he thought it was 32p.

In fact, first-class stamps cost 62p

A timely history lesson from Baroness Quin, formerly Labour MP for Gateshead East. Emphasising the achievements of people from all corners of the UK when they work together.

She said that the NHS was introduced by a Welsh Secretary of State [Aneurin Bevan] under a government headed by an Englishman [Clement Attlee] and by the Labour Party founded by a Scot [Keir Hardie].’ She added: ‘Those of us living south of the border view with alarm the creation of an international border between us.’

So, why did we have to wait two years before the report of an official investigation that found evidence of ‘appalling’ exploitation of at least 1,400 children?

Meanwhile, her predecessor as MP for the South Yorkshire town, Denis MacShane, who resigned in disgrace and was jailed for six months for a £13,000 Commons expenses fiddle, has been using the scandal for his own benefit.